Highgate Village – “a place apart”
Highgate underground station, London (meet in the ticket hall)
Guided by Corinna or Matthew or Richard III
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Weekly | 10.45 am | 12.45 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
“a place apart”
What kind of sorcery is this? We’re just a few stops up the Northern Line, but we’re in a country village nestling round what was once an old pond. Yes, we’ve taken a brief tube journey into timeless England. Here are lanes and cottages and Georgian houses and spectacular views across London. Here are Coleridge, Dickens, Betjeman, Cromwell, Nell Gwyn, Dick Whittington, Jamie Oliver, Yehudi Menuhin, Jude Law, Kate Moss, George Michael and Sting.
Here’s Witanhurst, the second largest house in London, complete with family connections to Mary, the London Walks “boss.” And after the walk, you can tour Highgate Cemetery (“one of the most astonishing places in London… architecture’s answer to Hieronymus Bosch”). Or stroll over to Kenwood House, the Platonic ideal of an aristocratic country house: perfection indoors (its world-class art collection) and outdoors (its landscaped gardens, the way it crowns its wooded slope on the Heath). Welcome to the perfect Sunday morning London Walk. But keep it under your hat, because if the word gets out Highgate’s going to be a major tourist attraction! Guided by Richard III, Tom MBE, Corinna or Matthew.
Après–walk visits don’t come any better than Kenwood House and Highgate Cemetery. Kenwood (the house, its famous paintings, its views, a spot of lunch) and then, refuelled, exploring, your jaw hanging open, Highgate Cemetery – it’s a combination that turns a day into a masterpiece.
HIGHGATE VILLAGE – THE PRACTICALS
The Highgate Village walk takes place at 10.45 am every* Sunday morning. Meet Tom MBE, Richard III, Corinna or Matthew in the booking hall of Highgate Tube. *In the London Walks summer season (May 1 – October 31)
The Highgate Walk ends in Pond Square, a short walk from Highgate Tube.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Meet your guide – here’s an interview with Matt (who could well be our most entertaining guide)
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“Best walking tours on earth. I’ve been on walking tours across five continents and these are far and away the best, because the guides are not just real locals with a genuine enthusiasm, but fascinating people in their own right, every time. Just finished my 8th walk – this time the Highgate tour with Matthew – he was awesome!” Andrew S., Chiang Mai, Thailand, TripAdvisor
“The best walks are conducted by London Walks” Toronto Globe & Mail
“The best walking tours in London” The London Guide
“We went on the Highgate and Westminster walks and both were brilliant. We learnt so much from the very knowledgeable guides. It was easy to find them at the meeting points, just turn up, pay your money and you’re off. Can’t wait to do a different walk next time I’m in London.” Passivesoul, Pembrokeshire
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Highgate Village walks do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Highgate Village walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Peter or Niamh or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a very special, thoughtful and unusual gift. Be it a birthday or anniversary or graduation or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
David Goodwin –
I’m a walking tour fan for many decades in many cities, and London Walks is my favorite. David excelled the norm. Informative, entertaining, with full of the multiple details that make walking tours great.
As a nice touch he sends a note out before, giving you advice as to what you can do if you get to the area early, what to do after the tour, and other helpful hints.
Peter Dargue –
I love discovering new districts of London and Highgate was unknown to me until I accompanied Matthew on his excellent tour. It’s good to get beneath the surface and get a locals perspective on a place that goes beyond a mere historical description. I am pleased to say that I was entertained and engaged by this walk which revealed details that I would have walked past left to my own devices. Highgate has lots of interest and I would recommend this walk, however unlike me make sure you have a new English Heritage card not last years if you intend to carry on to Kenwood House!
Debbie Behrens –
This past Sunday at Highgate was my last London Walks of my trip. It was a good one to end on. Corinna provided the information delightfully, including even some recitation and songs. The beginning of the walk was a bit strenuous, getting up the hill, to the ‘High’ in Highgate, but then it was a fairly easy walk. Interesting homes and the people who lived in them; cemeteries and the people who were ‘resting’ in them. It was a good walk. Corinna even gave us bus and underground directions back down to other parts of London. Some good memories to return home with.
Phyvos Neophytou –
Matthew was an estimable chap, if slightly eccentric.
Angela –
A really fun way to learn about all things Highgate. Highly recommend this walk. Matthew gave us an informative tour, making it memorable with his wit, energy and enthusiasm. He is undoubtedly one of the best LW tour guides.
Stephen –
Mathew was brilliant. Mathew was very knowledgeable, animated, and enjoyable. The walk was well paced and meandered through many a nook and cranny that made history come alive. Highly recommended
Gabrielle Panetrat –
Such an interesting and enjoyable tour, with such an interesting and entertaining local guide! This tour is really worth coming all the way up there, and you’ll even breathe a different, fresher air when you get out of the bus (I can testify).
Thanks Matthew!!
John Christensen –
A wonderful tour expertly guided by vivacious Corinna with her profound local knowledge
Caroline –
A luvvie-ly tour around Highgate with Corinna today! Very entertaining way to spend a Sunday morning.
John Kotyk –
I recently had the privilege of being guided by Richard III on a walk through Highgate. It was a perfect mix of history and anecdote, with a bit of neighbourhood gossip thrown in (I now know where Jude Law lives, amongst others!), all delivered with great good humour.
If you’re looking for something different outside Central London, Richard III’s Highgate walk is an excellent choice.